Call to leave enough time to vote in May 7 elections

Councils have urged people to make sure they leave themselves enough time to vote on election day.

Polling stations will open at 7am and close at 10pm for parliamentary and council elections on May 7.

A South Kesteven District Council spokesman said: “More than 108,000 residents are registered to vote in the South Kesteven district on Thursday, May 7, with 19,000 electors registered to vote by post.

“Elections taking place include the parliamentary and district council elections for 28 of the 30 district wards. There are also eleven parish and town council elections for towns and parishes in the South Kesteven district.

“As a result of a review of the district carried out by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, some of our polling districts and polling stations have changed. Please check your poll card for details of where you need to go to vote.”

Due to the death of council chairman Coun Reg Howard, who was nominated to stand in the Market and West Deeping District ward and Market Deeping Town Council elections, these elections have been cancelled and will now take place on June 25.

At the start of May there were 29,955 registered voters in Rutland, which is an increase of six per cent since the last election in 2011. Many residents have chosen to vote by post and Rutland County Council has issued 4,595 Postal Votes since Appril 16. More than 45 per cent of these have already been returned.

Returning officer for the local elections Helen Briggs said: “This is a hugely significant event for people in Rutland. Not only will they be choosing an MP to represent them nationally but there are a large number of county and parish council seats being contested at a local level.

“As many as 19 new county councillors will be elected on May 7 and it’s important that people exercise their right to vote if they want to have a say on the issues that are important to them.”